It is our wish that you never experience a migraine. If you or a loved one do get them here are just a few basic facts about them that might prove helpful as you seek answers to your questions about them. First off, the precise cause of migraine headaches remains unknown. Blood vessel constriction and dilation play a role and these are affected by the presence of brain chemicals called neuropeptides.
Research continues and at least two different drug families can provide some relief from the worst symptoms of migraines. The end result is the array of symptoms briefly described below.
When children experience a migraine there’s a small chance that vomiting may occur on a cyclical basis of about once a month. These types of migraines are referred to as abnormal migraines and may not involve a headache at all.
The mixed headache syndrome describes a condition that combines tension-related headaches with migraine headaches. Children and adults may suffer from those.
Causes
As alluded to above, tensions and emotional stress can cause migraines, especially in people that may be predisposed to getting them in the first place. Chemical sensitivities and intolerances are another common cause of migraines. Exposure to pickling or fermenting agents, food preservatives, aged cheese, yeast, various forms of alcohol as well as caffeine have all been fingered as migraine precipitators too.
The body’s internal workings and overall health or lack of health may all serve to bring on a migraine. These sorts of causes include menstrual periods, deep fatigue, irregular meals and interrupted or fitful sleep patterns.
The Phases
Although a typical migraine may be described as unfolding in five different phases not every migraine sufferer experiences all five phases–and sufferers don’t necessarily experience these phases to the same extent by any means. The phases are outlined below:
Prodrome. The “prodrome” phase indicates that a migraine is on its way. Symptoms include mood changes, irritability or confusion. Physical symptoms such as thirst or diarrhea may also be present. Bizarre taste sensations may show up. One quarter of migraine sufferers experiences prodrome symptoms as early as 24 hours before the rest of the migraine occurs.
Aura. The phenomenon called aura is best known for its unusual visual symptoms such as flashing lights, blind spots or geometric patterns. But other sensory, motor, and language disturbances can also occur. Aura is a phase that typically lasts about an hour. A fifth of migraine sufferers experiences aura.
Headache. Migraine pain itself is often on one side of the head. It’s often a throbbing pain and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound. The pain phase can last from 4 to 72 hours.
Headache termination: Even without medication headaches usually subside after the sufferer has slept or rested for several hours.
Postdrome or Resolution: After a migraine, many people experience deep fatigue and general malaise for up to 24 hours. This can include diminished appetite and an inability to concentrate as well.